Artificial womb
Artificial womb
Artificial womb (pronunciation: /ɑːr.tɪˈfɪʃ.əl wuːm/) is a device that replicates the conditions of a mammalian uterus to grow an embryo outside the body.
Etymology
The term "artificial womb" is derived from the English words "artificial," meaning made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally, and "womb," which is the organ in the lower body of a woman or female mammal where offspring are conceived and in which they gestate before birth.
Definition
An artificial womb, also known as an ectogenesis device, is a hypothetical machine that would allow for extracorporeal pregnancy by growing a fetus outside the body of an organism that would normally carry the fetus to term.
Related Terms
- Extracorporeal pregnancy: A pregnancy that occurs outside the body.
- Ectogenesis: The growth of an organism in an artificial environment outside the body.
- Uterus: The organ in the lower body of a woman or female mammal where offspring are conceived and in which they gestate before birth.
History
The concept of artificial wombs has long been a topic of discussion and research. The first successful use of an artificial womb was reported in 2017, when researchers at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia successfully grew lamb fetuses in a device that replicated the conditions of a mammalian uterus.
Ethical Considerations
The use of artificial wombs raises a number of ethical questions, including issues related to parental rights, surrogacy, and the potential for misuse of the technology.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Artificial womb
- Wikipedia's article - Artificial womb
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